2nd game in charge for Manuel Jiménez since Juande Ramos left for London to manage Totenham Hotspur, and it was always going to be a tough one. After a fantastic start to his first team managerial career at the weekend with a 3-0 win over Valencia, Jiménez was without clinical Mali international striker Kanoute (hamstring) and Serbian left back Dragutinovic (virus).
Before the game Andreas Palop (Sevilla goalkeeper, and hero of Hampden with his penalty kick shoot out saves) stressed the importance of getting on a winning streak to give the players peace. I am not sure if this is in reference to getting over the death of Puerta or peace from the media and the fans who by now will be expecting more glory.
Atletico came into this game after a 1-0 away win at Levante, with Uruguayan international striker Deigo Forlan grabbing the only goal. Atletico also sitting pretty in the league and hoping to keep the momentum and stay challenging for a Champions League spot.
The game was played at the usual fast pace, and Atletico started brightest, Portuguese midfielder Maniche scoring after only 2 mins. Fabiano struck on 14 mins to level the tie. Fabiano will be delighted to have scored for the 2nd consecutive la liga game, however Atletico regained the advantage very shortly after, Agüero scoring. Thankfully for Sevilla, with the 1st half drawing to a close, Zé Castro put into his own goal.
half time 2-2
The second half was an ugly affair. Many times the Atletico players went down too easily looking to get any Sevilla player booked or sent off. Daniel Alves was fortunate to stay on the field after he allegedly used an elbow in an aerial challenge. Crespo was also shown a yellow card for a collision with Simao. The replays showed that on both occasions there was contact, but the chances of it being intentional were slim to none. Daniel showed his class by not reacting to a vicious tackle only moments later as the game threatened to boil over. Navas was also treated roughly during a scrappy 10-15 minute spell of rash challenges before Atletico took the lead again.
Neat, intricite play on the edge of the box ended with Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez volleying home from 8 yards after a sweet chipped cross. Palop was helpless as the ball looped over him and into the corner of the net. It was Atletico's first real effort in the 2nd half. 20 minutes left on the clock for Sevilla to get on level terms for the third time.
Jose Crespo (playing at left back for the injured Dragutinovic) almost scored with a fine header, but the ball just landed the wrong side of Leo Franco's left hand post. It was so close the commentator thought it was in. Sevilla rallied and brought on exciting young winger Diego Capel for Jesus Navas, who looked very tired. Capel was not surprisingly hacked down moments later. The referee amazingly keeping his cards in his pocket.
With injury time approaching Atletico sealed the 3 points. Simao on the counter attack skipped past a challenge from Daniel before cutting the ball back for substitute Jurado, who expertly found the corner of the net with a first time shot from 18 yards. Palop was helpless. 4-2 now, no way back.. or was there?
With injury time petering out, Luis Fabiano picked up on a cross at the edge of the area after some shoddy defending before blasting the ball home. The Atletico defenders all wanted offside. The replay showed that only Capel was offside when the ball was played in from the left and he was not interfering with play. The game kicked off again with Sevilla throwing everything at Atletico but the home side did all they could to spoil the game and run down the clock.
In the end Sevilla can count themselves a little unfortunate not to have taken at least a point here. Big game on Saturday night with the visit of Real Madrid to Andalusia. Real are in fine form at the moment and hammered Valencia 5-1 away tonight at the Mestalla. No mean feat.
line up:
GK - Palop
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RB - Daniel Alves
LB - Crespo
CB - Fazio
CB - Boulahrouz
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RW - Navas > Capel 79 mins
LW - Adriano > Duda 60 mins
CM - Marti
CM - Keita
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CF - Fabiano
CF - Kone > Kerzhakov 69 mins
Unused subs: Renato, Poulsen, Mosquera, De Sanctis
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